FKDS (Fondet for Kunst- og Designstudenter) is a fund that allocates various grants to support art and design students at the Academy of Fine Art, the Art and Craft department, and the Design department at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO). FKDS’s capital derives from a number of endowments and funds originally earmarked for students attending the former National Academy of Art and the former National College of Craft and Design. When KHiO was founded the various funds merged as well and FKDS was founded in 2008. Two types of grants will be awarded:

STUDIO GRANT: For 2024–25, studio spaces and offices at Brynseng will be allocated to recent graduates from the Academy of Fine Art, both graduating BA and MA students can apply (graduating spring 2025).
Our previous lease at Kunstnernes Hus has ended, and FKDS has therefore started securing a temporary lease for 5 years at Brynsveien 1, Brynseng. The building is an award-winning industrial structure from 1960s, currently housing studios, offices and workshops for artists and small cultural businisesses.

The lease has not yet been finalised. Applicants for the 2025-2026 year must therefore apply for studio and/or office space, or alternatively, it will be turned into a cash grant for the year 2025-26. In the unlikely event that the lease cannot be realised, the studio grant will be converted into a sum that supports the development of artistic practice.

As it stands, the tentative studio distribution will be as follows:

• 8 studios on the ground floor and first floor, approximately 20 m2 each

• 3 smaller studios/offices, approximately 10 m2 each

The studios will have access to a shared kitchen and living room, restrooms, and possibly a patio, as well as a project room/workshop.

GRANT FOR DEVELOPING ARTISTIC PRACTICE: For 2025–26, eight grants, each worth NOK 30 000, shall be allocated to develop the recipient’s artistic practice. Four of the grants shall be allocated to MA students and four shall be allocated to BA students. Both non-graduating and graduating students can apply for this grant.

Application and all the joint attachments must be uploaded through Canvas by March 9th 23:59. The allocations will be announced during spring 2025. The jury for 2025 will be announced when confirmed.

To apply, download and read both documents thoroughly:

FKDS information about the grants 2025-26.pdf

FKDS application form 2025-2.pdf

CLICK HERE TO APPLY:

FKDS grant 2025-26 APPLY HERE

If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact our department coordinator Charlotte Todnem (chartodn@khio.no)